SOME MYTHS...

YOU MIGHT THINK THE ROYAL NAVY AND ROYAL MARINE COMMANDOS ARE ALL ABOUT FIGHTING PEOPLE. ACTUALLY, WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME CATCHING DRUG-RUNNERS AND SMUGGLERS AND DELIVERING HUMANITARIAN AID AROUND THE WORLD. WE EVEN PROTECT FISH ON BEHALF OF DEFRA (DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS).

Some myths exploded

Myth 1

The Royal Navy is just about ships

Between them, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines cover land, sea and air – aboard ships, submarines and aircraft. So if your son or daughter wants to be a pilot, that’s still a real option in the Royal Navy.

Myth 2

The Royal Marines are part of the Army

In fact, the Royal Marine Commandos are part of the Royal Navy – and together they make up one of the most respected fighting forces in the UK.

Myth 3

The Royal Navy and the Royal Marines are all about Defence

You might just be surprised by the range of activities we do, which include:

Helping to police the world’s oceans, preventing international smuggling, illegal trade and drug-running

Delivering humanitarian aid when natural or man-made disasters occur around the world, such as the tsunami in South East Asia

Protecting the UK’s ports and merchant ships

Patrolling fishing grounds and oil fields

Protecting the maritime environment

Myth 4

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines offer very few opportunities for women

The Royal Navy is an equal opportunities employer. Women have served at sea on surface ships since 1991. Women can join the Royal Navy and serve in all branches, except for the Mine Clearance Diver branch, the Submarine Service or the Royal Marines Commandos. These exclusions are only for medical reasons.

Myth 5

People aren’t allowed to practice their religion if they are in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines encourage people from all faiths to practice their religious observances, though occasionally there may be some restrictions for operational reasons. Whenever possible, people are allowed

to observe religious festivals or holidays and to say prayers at certain times. Halal, Kosher and vegetarian meals and operational ration packs are provided. If you want to find out more about religion in the Armed Forces, take a look at the equality and diversity section of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) website, which includes current policy within the MOD and a ‘frequently asked questions’ section:

Myth 6

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are only for white, middle-class people

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines support equal opportunities and do not tolerate any form of racism. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are interested in potential, regardless of class, race, sexual orientation or gender.

Myth 7

Joining the Royal Navy or Royal Marines is not a proper career, like becoming a doctor for example

There’s plenty of opportunity for career progression in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, just like in any large organisation. And if your son or daughter is interested in becoming a doctor, then once they are qualified they could serve in the Royal Navy, too.

Myth 8

If your son or daughter is on a ship you will be out of touch with them for months on end

Email is the most popular way of staying in touch and all ships have email access. Mobile phones are also allowed on ships – though there may be some restrictions about when they can be used.

Everyone who is deployed abroad is also given 20 minutes’ worth of free satellite calls a week. You can write letters or send a telegram to a ship, and there are always ways of contacting ships by phone in an emergency. To find out more about how you can stay in touch, take a look at the Royal Navy Community website, which provides a wealth of information and advice for Navy personnel and their families.